So wait... what do you think #3 is? Not a new species, we've worked that one out. But do you think it came from the #1 tree?

The seed could have come from either tree. Tree #1 growing in it's natural form, would obviously set seed which would result in the new plant being in it's natural form, but tree #2, the hybrid, if setting seed, is likely to be infertile or more likely than not (if fertile) to produce young which have reverted to their natural form.

If you want another tree similar to #2, take a cutting from it of a fresh growth around 15 - 20 cms long. Strip off any leaves leaving only the growing tip. Make a diagonal cut just below the point where you removed the lowest leaf on the opposite side of the removed leaf. Remove all top growth from one of your new saplings and graft the cutting to the main trunk (as in above diagram). Protect the wrapping around the graft and any any other stems from the root ball which you have cut back with wax. Be sure to use clean very sharp blades. Use a new Stanley knife blade or similar, but be sure to wash off any oil used to protect the blade from rusting first. Ensure your new plant is kept well watered and protect from frost, harsh direct sunlight and strong winds. Even too much of warm breeze can result in the cutting loosing too much water through evaporation. If you can dig up and pot one of your saplings, so much the better, you would then be able to move it to a suitable position, but you will then need to wait until the potted saplings settles before grafting.

Unless there are other trees of this species in your vicinity from which seed may have come, no. It has grown from the seed of one of your existing trees. Given time, the thorns will become less evident and may disappear altogether, giving you another tree the same as #1.

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